Los Dados

I’ll be generous and give this place 3 stars but it’s really a 2 and-​a-​halfer at best in my opinion. We went here on Friday night because Tortilla Flats had a two hour wait. This place strangely had room for 8 of us with no wait. Should have been our first clue. They squeezed us into a tight booth (to be fair we had 6 at first, but still, we had some big dudes with us!) and it was hot and generally uncomfortable.
The margaritas and guacamole were very good in my opinion. We did a round of tequila shots that were as smooth as I’ve ever had but were pricey as hell. We ordered some basic appetizers including mini tacos and various quesedillas and they were all just ok – good but nothing special. In the end the place wound up satifsying our need for food and drinks but the bill was VERY expensive for what we got. I probably wouldn’t go back by choice – there’s too many other good Mexican spots in this city!

I didn’t have any food here but the bar area was a lot of fun on Halloween night. My friends just started DJing here and I wish there was more space to dance for the quality of the music provided. There was an awesome promotion for free tequila shots when Thriller came on, so that was much appreciated.
Otherwise, beers (Modelo) can set up back $ 7. That’s about average for the neighborhood but too rich for my blood. Overall, it’s a sexy spot but if my friends weren’t there I probably wouldn’t have stopped in.

Sadly, location alone will never make a mediocre restaurant great.
A few friends and I came on a Tuesday night for dinner and drinks. The cucumber margarita was delicious and the chips and salsa not bad (but we were starving), and then the food came… the pork in my tacos was seriously off; inedible. The lighting was beyond mood-​lighting, so I had to doublecheck with the help of a candle that my mouth was correct — and it was: rare pork.
The servers were apologetic and brought a replacement dish (for which they charged).
If in the area, I’d go anywhere else and if feeling for decent Mexican, go to Pampano or Mexicana Mamo Centro. For the real deal, leave Manhattan.

A very nice option to capture a drink. There have terrific margaritas made with a homemade concoction of margarita mix; not a sugary morass of chemicals a la Chili’s, but rather a tart and fresh lime juice a la mexico autentico! Of course, the fact they charge $ 14 per is a huge downer; still me bartender gave me 2-​fer-​1, I dont know if this was from the kindness of his soul or if he felt bad for the guy drinking alone in the middle of the day; but its new york! that’s what people do!
I also got an order of the mini beef tacos’; these aren’t the scary ground beef from your high school cafeteria; no these are flavorful little guys stuffed with shredded beef and topped with queso fresco.
Add to this a lovely wrap around bar surrounded by open french doors and you can see why its the perfect spot to grab some grub after exploring the Highline park — which begins across the street. Stupendous!

This is more like 3.5 stars, but I am feeling generous today.
This was surprisingly a good joint. I had the pork tacos and it was the most flavorful pork I have had in a while. Very good, esp with the jalapeño/​pineapple salsa.
My guy had the chicken enchiladas which were also very tasty.
We ate outdoors which I love and the service was attentive and good.
The prices was a bit pricey for what it is however.
I’d come back.

Mediocre Mexican
It was Thursday night and me and a buddy headed over to the Hi-​Line but wanted a bite before we ventured up — so we stopped into Los Dados right across the street. Atmosphere was great — there were open seats at the bar so we jumped in — ordered some drinks and put in our order.
It was about 8:15 — the Hi-​Line closes at 10pm so we were good to go! Fast forward 25 mins and we notice the bartender whispering (they forgot or lost our order — that was obvious). Finally it comes out about 45 mins later — but my buddies order was wrong and mine wad temped. By now it was a little after 9 we ordered more drinks — the manger offered to pay for the wrong meal my buddy ordered and I sent mine back to be headed up. We waited and waited — now it’s going on 9:30 our food FINALLY arrives — we know we’re going to miss the park but we’re starving and figured we’d just come back another time.
Here’s the kicker — when we went to pay the check were told we miss understood — the manager never said he’d pay for the dish. Really Los Dados? Shame on you.
There’s too many new hot restaurants in the area to waste you time in this place that won’t be there long any way with that kind of service, food and junior management. Pass on Los Dados and head straight to the Hi-​Line.

Brunch at Los Dados was tasteless, overpriced and all the way around a pretty serious letdown. Where lunch seems a decent deal, prices at Los Dados go way up at brunch (perhaps this is some sort of Meatpacking tourist tax?) Case in point: $ 11 for guacamole and $ 8 for a Corona Light.
Even more infuriatingly, the burrito billed as picadillo arrived containing shredded meat (Picadillo is always ground beef) and managed to somehow still be bland. In fact everything I sampled at Dados was cursed with blandness.
Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me. I can assure you Los Dados will not be given a third shot by me!

Great mexican. I did not give it 5 stars as our waitress was young and very in-​experienced. She was simply ok. Nothing to enhance the simple take my order and bring it to me. Girl bartending was very friendly and made a good margarita, although they are priciy– $ 14.
I highly suggest the hanger steak and the crusted tuna. Good atmosphere. Tables and not jammed right next to each other. Not too loud. Good looking crowd. Great location-​go for a walk after and explore the changing neighborhood. If the highline is still open go for a walk there.

«Los OLVI-​dados» (the forgotten) is what you can expect to become if you patronize Los Dados.
Heard that the delightful, successful Sue Torres of Suenos fame was the chef here. Got it only partly right… she WAS. Seems she has since wisely returned to Suenos!
Have to agree with Jennifer’s review of 7/13…except I won’t chance another visit. A great location and concept, destroyed by the most disorganized, under-​directed staff I’ve experienced in a LONG time. An eternity for our order to be taken… eons more to see la comida. Thank G-​d for those addictive chips. The bar and tables were also left un-​bussed long after prior patrons had split, adding a further trashy feel to the proceedings.
Our hard-​working waittress seemed pained herself to be associated with the place, and our «water-​bearer» was prompt & pleasant, and for their decent attitudes alone, we are granting even the 1 star. Our food took so long to arrive (40 minutes for a simple brunch special consisting of a quesadilla and a plate of mini-​tacos) that it was lukewarm, thus ruining any potential for greatness and consigning it firmly to mediocrity. Too bad.
And disappointed to further report: My companion approached the restroom with skepticism, and fled it in revulsion.
Oh…and when the bill finally arrived, we’d been charged $ 10 for a watery Mimosa that was supposed to be included in the $ 30 prix-​fixe brunch.

I eat Mexican food whenever i can so jumped at the chance to try out this place. Unfortunately, they have a tiny bit of outdoor seating so we had to sit in the dark cave that is the restaurant. Worst music blaring ever!
I perused the menu and while my go to was on the list i decided to order the Yucatan Pork Achiote Tamale. It was huge! And very tasty. Couldn’t finish it though. Definitely will get it again. The meat was very tender and the corn meal melted in your mouth in a good way.
Going out to lunch with coworkers and splitting the bill can sometimes be a pain but here it was remarkably simple. All of our entrees were around the same price: $ 8. And the Coronitas [mini bottles of Corona] were split evenly. So excellent marks on that score.

I have been here 3 times, and for whoever says third time’s a charm, you’re seriously incorrect.
The first two times the food was just OK, and my last visit was absolutely awful. The food took nearly an hour to arrive, and out of 7 orders, every single meal was incorrect. once the food arrived, it wasn’t even decent. then the manager refused to give any discount until we argued with him twice.
i suggest taco bell or chipotle for better food. Or… Cosmic Cantina is always a good mexican choice.

Hello Torta are you there? Its me doug.
I have been looking everywhere for you.
You were here a little while ago and we were having such a good time.
At first when i noticed you were gone it was no big deal but now its been an hour or two and I need you inside of me. … I seriously miss you. come over again soon.
I got take out from here and from the looks of the reviews it sounds like the right idea. I don’t think anyone got the Torta and to be honest I don’t know why you would get anything else. I love tortas and will keep on looking for the best in new york but as of July of 09 this is the best torta I have had in this fair city. So go, order the torta and go eat it on the high line.

Fairly decent modern Mexican cuisine in a dark, moody environment that tries to be a little too cool for its own good. The interior design is a bit abstract and the music a bit too loud. The chips and salsa are really good, but the rate of refill is a bit slow, as is the service in general. Dishes are served a la carte, which means if you want rice and beans you have to order them separately. The highlight of the evening, however, were the drinks, specifically the sangria. Both the red and white varieties were outstanding.

Los Dados or the dice is now open for brunch as of yesterday and we ambled in for a late bunch meal. Seemingly crossed between a restaurant and bar this meatpacking district spot serves up pricey D.F. style grub.
We started with fresh chips and guac. Slightly greasy flavorful chips with fresh guac. can’t be beat. Their salsa rocks too.
Speaking of rocking, club bangers from the night before still play. I ordered enchiladas with shrimp marinated in a chipotle/​lime sauce with yellow mole served up plain with a few shredded radishes. No rice and beans people. A side of fresh corn with spicy mayo and cortija cheese was killer good. The food is super, albeit super pricey.

Food is delicious, but it does come at a price. Went for lunch and spent 17 dollars for lunch box (tacos & bean/​rice), side guacamole, and an ice tea. Go when you want to sit & enjoy… like I did!
It’s very comfortable inside and they do serve you. Don’t be fooled by the ordering in front — you order, sit and they serve — so don’t forget to tip (@ counter or table)
My only complaint food wise was the guacamole had no kick at all!
Corn tortilla, veggie tacos on the other hand had bursting flavors!

I am torn when it comes to Los Dados. The meatpacking district can be tricky when you are trying to eat lunch and spend under $ 20. Or under $ 40. Or under $ 60. It is also lacking in mexican food options.
Los Dados: fancy + ‘authentic’ mexican food should hit the spot?
Yes and no.
Since I go here more for lunch than for dinner, I have to make a minor complaint that their lunch service is kind of wonky. It’s like they didn’t plan on offering table service during lunch, but will do it if you show up with a large group. When you do (as we do often) you are treated to forgetful and confused service and overly bright lighting as the management types are working on payroll or whatever at a neighboring table. I kind of want them to figure out if they are going to do lunch service or not (note that in the summer they have tables outside).
They have a lunch counter in the back for orders to go. I am a fan of the pork torta and the chicken tamale with mole. Both are very good and actually pretty good lunch values. They also do fresh, homemade fruit juices — although recently they seem to forget to make it or run out early.
I’ve had dinner there a few times. There are more menu items for dinner and the lighting is lowered thankfully. I just don’t get super excited about the dinner. Lots of exciting sounding items with interesting ingredients, but missing something. Soul? Spirit? Flavor? I don’t know.
All that said, if you are in the Meat Packing District (sorry) and need to get your mexican on, Los Dados is a decent choice.

Why must everything in this neighborhood try so hard to be overly chic? I’ve never been a huge fan of gussied up Mexican places. Mexican by its very nature is supposed to be a little grungy, a little messy, and served with a little down-​home charm. It’s clear to me the owners of this place realized they were opening something in the Meat Packing District, made all these crazy design choices (like mismatching chandeliers, weird lighting, and an incomprehensible layout) then remembered that they were serving Mexican and threw some little ponchos, sombreros and burro statues all over the place. Lame.
That being said, the food is good enough to merit three stars, but not great. Guac was heavy on the cilantro which is always a thumbs up in my book. I had the enchiladas camarones which were spicy and good, but certainly not worth the $ 18 price tag. We didn’t drink so I can’t comment on the margaritas (which seem to be winning accolades from other Unilocalers). I liked the bar area up front, so should I return it would probably be for a margarita on my way somewhere else. Also, points for the little take-​out stand I saw on my way to the bathroom. If the whole place had looked like that, this would have been a four star.

Los Dados — Meat Packing District
NYC’s best Mexican food?!
Is the search really over? Let me know what you think!
Hip, cool, and very good Mexican food, makes Anne and I MUY happy! I still have a hard time paying $ 13 for a small portion of enchiladas, but combine a well known chef, cool vibe, attentive service and MPD and you get one of our favorite places for Mexican food in NYC. The rice and beans were just ok, but the homemade chips, guacamole and tortillas more than made up for it. Groups of 10 or more have to go to Pre-​fix of $ 35 min. $ 35+ for Mexican food?! I just couldn’t do that to my mom. I have enough explaining to do as it is. Oh, they do brunch too! Huevos rancheros… yum. You want very good Mex with 0 ambiance? Tacos Mexico in Queens at least 2 locations is still our favorite.
Food: 9, Prices/​value: 7.9, Décor: 8, Overall 8.5

Los Dados is probably not getting a fair shake from me because…
A) I am hella hungover. See last night’s «A Casa Fox» review.
B) I’m here with a (groan) bachlorette party. Complete with neon glo-​bracelets and buttons that say «bridal party». Kill me now.
C) I’m meta-​yelping (ie, I’m writing this at the table and pissing off my friends, so I have to be quick).
Pros: Stellar margaritas. The cucumber one is highly recommended! The food is plenty fine and plenti-​ful. Friendly staff.
Cons: Acoustics. Insufficient number of bathrooms. Overly sufficient number of women with hair extensions and overdoses of collagen (or whatever the hell those women are shooting into their lips these days).
I might go back, but definitely not on a weekend.

Went here last night, I was really excited to see Tacos al Pastor on the menu — it’s hard to find it up here — but true to form, New York fucks it up again by trying to yuppy it up. No slices of canned pineapple, instead, some sort of pineapple salsa, which was OK.
The real killer was the pork — it’s supposed to be crumbly, slightly crappy pork sliced thinly off of one of those street-​meat skewers. Here, it’s yupped-​up pork tenderloin sliced way too thick. Kind of sad… I guess they need to figure out a way to charge $ 16 for two tacos. Also, flour tortillas? Seriously?
Great tequila selection, though. I have a feeling most of the people that come here don’t give a shit about authentic Messican food, so if you like Margaritas and pushing food around your plate (which is, basically, me) then you will love it.